Lost in the New York Giants’ defensive overhaul is the lingering presence of cornerback Deonte Banks. As it turns out, the young defender might stick around longer than expected.
John Harbaugh’s arrival came amid mounting questions regarding Banks’ long-term future with the Giants. Banks, the No. 24 pick in 2023, lost his starting role and came off the bench last year. Despite the coaching change and the Giants’ foregoing picking up his fifth-year option, it doesn’t appear Banks will need to find a new home this fall.
The Athletic’s Dan Duggan predicted that Banks, who turned 25 in March, will crack the Giants’ Week 1 roster.
Duggan’s projection isn’t overly surprising, given that Banks and Greg Newsome II are fighting for the No. 2 cornerback spot.
“Still, Banks needs to display a level of consistency that has been lacking to wrestle the starting job away during camp,” Duggan wrote.
What a strong 2026 season means for Giants cornerback Deonte Banks
Because the Giants elected not to pick up Banks’ fifth-year option, he is in his final year of team control and can hit unrestricted free agency next spring.
Banks would play the entire 2027 season at 26 years old, and he has age and starting experience on his side.
Without speculating too much, it’s not unrealistic to think Banks could land a multi-year deal — either with the Giants or elsewhere — if he earns the starting job and plays competently.
The key, as Duggan pointed out, is being consistent enough to win over Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson.
The sooner that Banks can crack the code, the better. Pro Football Focus ranked him 112th out of 114th qualified cornerbacks last year.
Credit to him, though, for already making the most of an opportunity with a new coaching staff. Even if the 25-year-old doesn’t earn the No. 2 cornerback spot, he’d likely stick around as a special teams contributor and potential returner.
Harbaugh and Wilson know how to get the most out of their players, including those who may have previously fallen out of favor. Banks still has a long way to go before winning a job opposite Paulson Adebo. But at least that’s the conversation we’re having with a month left before training camp.
Things could be far worse. Just ask fellow first-round pick Evan Neal.
Add us as a preferred source on Google